Parents who have lost childcare and are unable to work can claim PUP

PARENTS who can’t work because they have no childcare can apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

The Department of Social Protection said in a statement that employees who cannot go to work because of child-minding responsibilities and are not getting paid are eligible.

It said this was the case when childcare facilities and schools were closed previously.

A department spokesperson was unable to say how many parents have received the payment.

“Statistics on the number of parents who have availed of PUP due to childcare reasons are not available,” he said.

The department said most employers have facilitated people with flexible and home working arrangements during the pandemic.

However, people will be able to claim the PUP due to a lack of childcare during Level 5 restrictions.

It said applications will be processed “on the basis of self-declaration” but will be checked against Revenue employment and earnings records.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said employers should continue to put flexible arrangements in place for staff to allow them to continue to work while minding their children.

“This should continue wherever possible as it maintains that vital link between employees and their employers,” she said.

“However, where this has not been possible, applications for the pandemic unemployment payment, where the applicant could not return to work because of an inability to have their children minded, are processed by the department,” added Ms Humphreys.

Meanwhile, she said social welfare recipients can continue to be paid weekly.

Those who are receiving a state pension or carer’s allowance have up to 90 days to collect their payment.

Those on jobseeker’s benefit and the one parent family payment have up to 20 days to collect their payment at the post office.

“While some people prefer to avail of the weekly payment option, others are understandably concerned about making weekly visits to their local post office due to the virus numbers,” said the minister.